RoboPreacher

or is it something worse Lent Wednesday Music Vol. 2 Time, As a Symptom - Joanna Newsom The River - Bruce Springsteen A Long December - Counting Crows Something Less Than Something More - Caitlin Cary These Arms of Mine -  Otis Redding

a day: arise, ascend Jesus told them a parable about the need to pray always and not lose heart ~Luke 18:1 Each year, while it was only the early hours of June 14th, my mom would wake me up. Then, even before the sun would break on those short summer nights, she would tell me the story of the day I was born. How she wanted me to have an Irish name. How a stranger said she waddled like a duck when she walked. How, when she came into the hospital because she was having contractions, the doctors told her it was too early; that she was just anxious. How that was the night I was born, though. How the doctor almost wasn’t ready! How there was a storm, and everyone had to go to the hallway. How I was sick, and how she didn’t get to hold me very long. And finally, the part that brought it all together, how it came out. How there we were, with her telling me that story again . Over the years, even as I grew older and showing affection to parents was decidedly uncool, I co...

steady your boats / arms to shoulder The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke ! Get lost. Take a hike. Beat it. Go to He/  Well, you get the idea.. Not a proper way to say, ‘well, I guess we disagree on this issue.’  Only crass folks would talk like that. I’m sure none of you saints have ever said such a thing …  You can learn a lot about the character of someone by the way they speak. Which is why today, I have to tell you, you have a savior who would say something like that. And not only that! Your savior doesn’t just have a dirty mouth. You have the kind of savior who would tell you to go to Helena, Montana. If you catch my drift…  There isn’t any love lost between the Pharisees and Jesus.  They never seem to agree on anything; they’re like republicans and democrats that way. Throughout the Gospel they’re always butting heads. Today , in the Gospel, it finally comes to a head.  Admittedly, the Pharisees couldn’t ha...

...he could not believe it was true Lent Wednesday Music : I Admit I’m Scared - Eskimeaux No Shade in the Shadow of The Cross - Sufjan Stevens .38 Airweight - Doomtree Hard Times - Gillian Welch Henrietta, Indiana - Josh Ritter

as the darkness clears away The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke! Before Jesus begins his ministry he heads out ; to the wilderness. Alone with only the elements and animals, he prepares himself for the trials and tribulations he will face in his ministry. He doesn’t eat during those days. After the 40th day, the devil shows up and tries to derail the whole thing… Lent, if you don’t count Sundays, is approximately 40 days. Over the ages The Church has found it wise to do like Jesus, to set apart a tenth of each year’s days for some holy use.  And like Jesus, the devil seems to be especially on the prowl during these 40 days… “What’s another cookie?” whispers the devil. “No one will know. You’ve been good all week. You deserve that cookie.” Or ,  you miss the nail and strike your thumb instead. This time the devil doesn’t whisper. He comes in a fiery rage. “Say it! Ooooohhhh that looks like it hurt. Just say it, say that word you gave up....

consider what's to come... The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke ! It had been a long day... So when the rabbi suggested a hike to go pray, the thought of relaxing instead, sounded more appealing.  Up on the mountain, as per usual, Jesus’ prayer stretched on. After not long, their minds began to wander, and then their eyes grew heavy... Before they could fall asleep, though, their attention was snatched. Jesus, right before their eyes, was changing . His clothes dazzled, his continence transformed.  Then , lo and behold! Moses and Elijah standing with him, talking about his Exodus in Jerusalem … Can you imagine ? It could have been hours, but you know it only felt like seconds. No sooner had they arrived, than they were leaving. Peter can’t just let this moment just pass him up. After all, it is too good for them to be up there, with these two holy men and their leader in his glory. "Let us build three dwellings,” he blurted out. We don't k...

i would no longer be barren A sermon from First Corinthians on the occasion of the Annual Meeting It’s the Annual Meeting. All the members are called together for an official report on the state of the congregation. There’s average worship to evaluate. The budget. Pledges verses expenses. An update on work with Faith and Bethany. News about building repairs and the list of others that need to be done.  This is the Annual Meeting, after all; one day when we, without any shame or guilt, dwell on our dwelling… It’s the Annual Meeting; our corporate meeting , if you will.  The day we take stock, of our stock . And don’t get me wrong. I’m right with you.  Traditional wisdom insists we meet at least once a year and take a look at our revenue. Consider how we can strengthen our finances. Contemplate ways to improve our facility.  We have to take stock of our stock. What we have , and what we need . In the Epistle, Paul i...